Kidnapped by pirates, the crew of the Swiss vessel freed, media reported

Twelve kidnapped by pirates off the coast of Nigeria members of the crew of the Swiss freighter Glarus released after negotiations, according to Swiss newspaper 24 Heures, citing the Swiss telegraphic Agency (ATS).

The pirates attacked the cargo ship of the Swiss company Massoel Shipping on September 23. All on the ship were 19 crew members.

According to the publication, the crew were released Friday after negotiations between ship-owners and kidnappers. The hostages, among whom were citizens of the Philippines, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Ukraine and Romania, was transported to Switzerland. Earlier, foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said that the release of the Ukrainian sailor will return home on Tuesday.

Pirates off the coast of Nigeria often kidnap crew members from passing ships for ransom. So, on April 21, the pirates attacked the Dutch ship «WHF rapid». Among the captured crew was its captain — a citizen of Russia. They managed to release a month later. In early February, the pirates in Nigeria have seized sailors from the ship BBC Caribbean, including seven Russians and one Ukrainian, they were saved after 26 days in captivity.